Posing as human rights squad, gang extorts Rs 24 lakh in Bengaluru's Devanahalli

The Devanahalli police arrested nine people for impersonating a fake human rights outfit and extorting a man of Rs 24 lakh.

The arrested are C Krishnakumar Reddy, 50, a private bank employee; S Ahmed Sharif, 48, a real-estate agent; Venugopal, 49, a daily wager; Sampangirama, 47, a real-estate worker; Narayana Swamy, 52, a municipal council worker; Shiva KV, 42, a driver; TV Murugeshan, 65, a mason; Malayam Lathif, 53, a real-estate worker; and Venkatesh, 57, a dhobi.

On February 13, around 10 am, the 50-year-old victim was near Chinnaganahalli, Devanahalli, with Rs 24 lakh to hand over to another person.

The suspects arrived in a car bearing the board ‘Human Rights Protection and Anti-Corruption Squad’, threatened the victim for possessing the cash, and fled with the money.

The victim approached the Devanahalli police, and a case was registered. The police subsequently arrested all nine suspects. Five others are at large, and efforts are on to trace them, officials said.

The police recovered Rs 14.60 lakh, two vehicles used in the crime, and 13 mobile phones from the arrested. Further investigation is underway.